Ofcom applications for HD capacity

Ofcom has received two applications from the PSBs who are eligible to apply for capacity sufficient for a fourth High Definition service on Multiplex B. The applicants are Five and a joint bid from Channel 4 and Welsh-language broadcaster S4C. Ofcom is now considering both applications and expects to publish its decision in April 2009.

Channel 4 and S4C have applied to launch a new Freeview offering that would include a HD video on demand service. The service would push programming from around the world to hard disks inside set top boxes during the early hours of the morning. But it's just one part of a three-pronged application to occupy capacity on the so-called Multiplex B radio spectrum that's due to be reorganised.